John Denver’s enduring 1971 hit, “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” has unexpectedly become the unofficial anthem for the U.S. men’s national soccer team during the World Cup. The song has been embraced by players and tens of thousands of fans, fostering a shared experience after matches.
Even coach Mauricio Pochettino has been seen singing along to the tune, which has become a staple at the end of U.S. team victories. The John Denver estate expressed its delight at the song’s latest revival, noting that its message of belonging transcends geography, making its lyrics “simple, clear, and relatable” for sing-alongs.
“Everyone knows what ‘Take me home to the place I belong’ is about,” the estate stated. “It’s not limited to West Virginia.”
Origins of the Song
Despite its strong association with West Virginia, songwriter Bill Danoff revealed that the inspiration for “Country Roads” stemmed from a drive he took with his then-wife, Taffy Nivert, along Maryland's Clopper Road. Danoff has also cited his childhood in western New England and listening to West Virginia’s WWVA radio as influences. While he hadn't spent extensive time in West Virginia at the time of writing, he was familiar with the region’s musical influence and knew people from the state.
Danoff and Nivert initially intended to offer the song to Johnny Cash. However, after playing an early version for John Denver, he convinced them to let him record it. The song became Denver's biggest hit and has remained a popular classic for decades.
A World Cup Soundtrack
According to reports, FIFA officials included “Country Roads” in its postgame playlist options, aiming to create a unifying moment between the U.S. team and its supporters. The song’s integration began after the U.S. team’s second match, a 2-0 victory over Australia in Seattle, where it was immediately well-received both in the stadium and on social media.
Midfielder Weston McKennie commented on the palpable connection forged with the fans through the song. While the song was played after a U.S. loss to Turkey, it reappeared with significant enthusiasm following the team’s win against Bosnia-Herzegovina, which secured their advancement to the next round of the tournament. Players like McKennie and Sebastian Berhalter were notably animated while singing along with fans.
Beyond the U.S. team’s matches, “Country Roads” has also been a crowd-pleaser during hydration breaks in other games, often met with loud approval from the audience.
A History in Sports
The use of “Country Roads” in sports is not new. It has long been a fixture at West Virginia University football games, where it’s sung by fans after home victories. The song has also gained traction internationally, being sung by fans during the NFL’s annual games in Germany since 2022 and by Manchester United supporters in the English Premier League, who adapted the lyrics to refer to their home stadium.
Similarly, the England national team has adopted Oasis’ “Wonderwall” as their unofficial tournament anthem, with players and fans participating in the tradition after victories.